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Parkinson, C., 2013.

A small scale global phenomenon: revelation or revolution?

Output Type:Presentation
Presented at:The Art of Good Health and Wellbeing
Publication:Submitted to Arts and Health: An International Journal for Research, Policy and Practice
Venue:The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle WA
Publisher:Routledge, Oxford
Dates:November 2012
Volume/Issue:Special Issue July 2013 (in print)
Pagination:14

A presentation to test ideas for the paper submitted to Arts and Health: An
International Journal for Research, Policy and Practice, under the title: Great Expectations: Towards a Small Scale Global Phenomenon -
A reappraisal of the state of the arts and health in England and beyond.

Following the publication of Arts & Health, an International Journal for Research, Policy and Practice in 2009 and its introductory essay; The State of Arts and Health in England, it appeared that the arts/health community was on the brink of a new era of critical thinking and global connectivity. By unpicking the ‘state’ of the field in England in terms of research, policy and practice, this co-authored essay painted a picture, that over the intervening years, has arguably changed beyond recognition. Building on the work of partners from the political, health, cultural and arts sectors, this new paper from Clive Parkinson, reappraises the field in light of the changing political landscape and global financial downturn, drawing parallels between countries where arts/health is an emergent field and others where it is perhaps more established. Through shared observation, experience and experiment, this paper will identify new opportunities, challenges and possibilities in participatory arts and public health, and ask; are we part of what Mike White describes, a small scale global phenomenon - and if so, are we part of a gradual enlightenment or a cultural supernova?